In a striking revelation that may cool the fervor surrounding Williams’ recent success, former Haas Formula 1 team principal Guenther Steiner has cast a shadow over Carlos Sainz’s remarkable podium finish at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Despite the exhilarating atmosphere surrounding Sainz’s climb to third place, Steiner insists that this achievement is more of an anomaly than a harbinger of a new competitive era for the Williams team.
Sainz’s podium at the Baku City Circuit marks a significant milestone; it is his first with Williams since joining the squad at the beginning of the season and the first for the team under the new leadership of James Vowles. With the team currently positioned fifth in the constructors’ standings—a solid performance with seven rounds still to race—many fans and analysts were quick to speculate about a potential resurgence for Williams. However, Steiner remains unconvinced, cautioning that the gap to the top four teams remains vast.
During a recent appearance on The Red Flags Podcast, Steiner did not mince words. “No, I think it’s an outlier,” he asserted, highlighting that while Williams seized a unique opportunity during the race, their current standing does not reflect a permanent leap in performance. “They are now, in my opinion, clearly the fifth-best team, but the step to being the top four is still big,” he added, emphasizing the challenges ahead.
Steiner pointed out that while Williams has made notable strides this season, including a commendable average performance that has solidified their position in the championship, they are still far from being able to consistently challenge the elite teams. “At the moment, they’re not there. Still a long way to go,” he explained. He acknowledged the competitiveness of the Racing Bulls, suggesting that they remain the only team that might pose a threat to Williams’ grasp on fifth place.
Despite some inconsistency, Steiner noted that Williams has established a clear advantage over the teams trailing behind them. However, he was firm in his assessment that they cannot yet contend with the top four. “They are quite a bit away from them, but they made their own space in the championship in P5 pretty clear,” he concluded.
As the F1 season progresses, the debate will continue: is Williams truly on the rise, or is their podium finish merely a fleeting moment of glory in a still-challenging landscape? The upcoming races will reveal whether Steiner’s cautious perspective holds true or if Sainz and his team can defy the odds and solidify their newfound status among the sport’s elite.
